Client Object for Self-Service Terminal CRM Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for enabling client/server dialogue between self-service terminals like ATMs and server environments are platform-dependent and lack flexibility, requiring full PC functionality for CRM interactions, which is not feasible in many self-service settings.
Innovation Solution
A client object with two interfaces: one for communicating with a service provider server to retrieve information and another for controlling the terminal's presentation, allowing the control application to determine what and how information is presented, even if the server format is incompatible with the terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing client/server mechanisms are used for CRM interactions, then server-controlled information presentation is enabled, but the system becomes platform-dependent and requires full PC functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the presentation control functionality from the server environment and places it directly in the ATM client object. The server sends unformatted data, and the ATM's control application formats and presents it, eliminating the need for server-controlled presentation and full PC functionality while maintaining CRM interaction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a client object as an intermediary layer between the server and the ATM interface. This client object handles format transformation and presentation control, allowing the ATM to interact with CRM systems without requiring the server to control presentation or the ATM to have full PC functionality
2Loss of information
If server controls information presentation, then personalized information can be delivered, but the ATM loses control over what and how information is presented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the server controlling presentation and the ATM passively displaying information, the patent inverts the control flow: the server sends unformatted data and the ATM's control application actively controls what information is presented and how it is formatted, while still receiving personalized data from the server
3Adaptability or versatility
If web browser is installed on ATM, then information rendering from remote servers is enabled, but resource constraints in ATM environments are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information rendering functionality from a web browser environment and implements it directly within the ATM's control application. The control application receives unformatted data from the server and directly formats and presents it, eliminating the need for a web browser while maintaining information rendering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the essential rendering functionality needed for ATM operation directly into the control application, rather than relying on a full web browser environment. This allows the ATM to render information from remote servers using only the minimal necessary functionality embedded in the control application
Data Source
AI summary
A client object for use in a self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), is described. Also described is a system comprising a self service terminal and a service provider server (24), such as a CRM system, operable to communicate or provide services in a format that is incompatible with the client terminal. Between the client terminal (10) and the CRM server (24) is an intermediate processor (22), such as a web server, having an adapter or interface (20) that allows communication between the terminal (10) and the CRM server (24). The interface (20) is configured to pass to the terminal (10) a limited amount of information in a specific protocol. In particular, the interface (20) passes text, such as a word-based advertisement, to the terminal (10), which then assumes sole responsibility for the presentation of that text on a client terminal screen.